Name: Niigata Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Rating: 5.0 (16 reviews)

Japan

Niigata

Our local guides are ready to help you plan, customize and realize your ideal tour in Niigata. All GoWithGuide guides are real locals who know the area on a deep and personal level, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you.

When traveling, everyone wants to get the most bang out of their buck. How to do that? Ask the right person to be your tour guide, of course! As opposed to fixed itineraries that are too formal and geared towards large groups, arranging a trip with the help of a local guide will mean the trip will be about what YOU want to see and do.

Go ahead and send a message to one (or several!) of our local guides. They would love to show you their Niigata!

Local Tour Guides in Niigata

When unable to travel, bring travel to the comfort of your house! Sometimes it is difficult to physically travel to your destination, that’s where virtual guided tours become a perfect alternative.

You can find all sort of activities and tours offered by GoWithGuide’s local guides: cooking classes, history lessons, walking tours, interaction with locals, exploration of the wilderness.. and much more! So let our local Niigata guides share their part of the world with you.

Connect with the guide virtually, and then simply to sit back, relax with your favorite beverage and enjoy the tour!

Niigata Virtual Tours & Experiences

Whether it’s your first time to Niigata or you are back to discover more, a good tour guide can make all the difference. Enjoy the best of what Niigata has to offer, without all the fuss of planning everything by yourself!

You can pick your favorite itinerary from the Niigata tours offered by our local guides, but feel free to ask for customizations based on your preferences. We want to help travelers get the most out of their trips, and we believe a good tour with a local guide is the best way to ensure that.

There is so much to see and do in Niigata, and the best way to get the most out of your time there is to have a local expert with you. GoWithGuide is committed to delivering unforgettable tour experiences, so let us help you create your next favorite memory.

Niigata Private Tour Guide

Travel like a real local. With our lineup of varied tours we want to help you customize and realize your ideal tour in Niigata. Our guides can arrange for you to visit areas specific to your interests, so there will be no filler in the itinerary!

Browse all the tours we offer in Niigata, and find the perfect one for you. The tours come in a variety of categories and lengths, so chances are you will be able to find the tour for you. Looking for something you couldn’t find in our lineup? Go ahead and send a message to one of the guides, they will create your tour for you!

Teaming up with a local guide and getting their help in planning the itinerary is the smart way to travel, so let them sort everything out for you.

Private Tours in Niigata

Are you in need of transportation on your trip to Niigata? On this page you can find pick-up, airport transfers and chauffeur (Private car charter with professional drivers).

We meticulously check all drivers and Car Companies you find on this page to make sure they have all the necessary documentation and qualifications to run transfer services for their area. Choose from the available listings, or message one of the suppliers directly to inquire about their services.

Having reliable and good quality transportation is an important but often overlooked part of planning a trip. Let our Niigata car & van service providers take care of transportation for you, so you can enjoy your sightseeing!

Niigata Private Cars, Van & Transfers

In the very serene atmosphere, Yahiko Shrine is without a doubt, the most sacred shrine in Niigata. In its precinct, you will see the sumo rink, the Japanese archery arrow shooting range, the Shinto music and dancing stage and other ritual-related facilities. If you are lucky, you can see their performances on festive occasions. Not only visiting the shrine, but also you can enjoy the ropeway and Panorama Tower ride, footbath in the hot spring, eat local delicacies and see the natural beauty in each season. Yahiko shrine is located in Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi National Park. Especially cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in fall are something you shouldn’t miss. The shrine area is very photogenic even in rain or snow.

Yahiko Shinto Shrine Walking Tour

Located on the Japan sea side of mainland Honshu, about 2 hours bullet train ride from Tokyo, Niigata city has been flourished as one of the major port towns for centuries.  Along with this historical background, Niigata city is now well known for delicious "koshihikari" rice, varieties of tasty sake, fresh products from both land and sea.

In this tour, you can choose 3 or 4 places to visit for 7-hour sightseeing tour.
We mainly use public transportation networks like Niigata city loopline bus service ( one-day ticket  JPY 500 ) and taxi if necessary.
The places of choices are as follows:

1.  Niigata City Aquarium "Marinepia Nihonkai"
         Displaying both marine and fresh water fish in the region and aquatic animals.  Dolphin shows are performed daily.
         JPY  1500    Closed from Dec.29-Jan.1,  Mar.3,4

2.   Pia Bandai
         Fish and vegatable market with restaurants popular for locals and tourists.

3.  "Imayotsukasa"  sake brewery
         There is a guided tour and you can sample  tasty sake.

4.  The Niigata Saito Villa
         Built about 100 years ago, this gorgeous villa and Japanese style garden attracts visitors all year round.
         JPY 300   Closed on Mondays,  from Dec.28-Jan.3

5.  Minatopia with Former Niigata Customs House
         There are also Former Daishi Bank building and Niigata City History Museum by the Shinano River.

6.  Former Ozawa Family Residence
          Authentic machiya-style house with beautiful garden from the Meiji Period.
          JPY 200   Closed on Mondays,  from Dec.28-Jan.3

7.  Honcho Market
          Located on the bustling Furumachi ( old town ) district,  vendors sell all kinds of food with reasonable prices.
          * vendors are less on Sundays

8.  Strolling Furumachi district for 1 hour
         Furumachi was once known as geigi (geisha) district like Kyoto and there are many restaurants, temples, old and
         new buildings in this area.
         *  you can combine this choice with the Saito Villa or/and the Ozawa Residence (both in  Furumachi district).

Please choose places you'd like to visit and email me.
Let's have fun in Niigata city!


Niigata City one day tour of your choices

This route takes you to the area which gives Niigata City the name of the "City of Water."  You can experience the port city history and culture such as the former Saito Family Villa and Hakusan Shrine.

Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour

You can have a wonderful time in Niigata and learn about the city's history and trends.  Since Niigata is famous for rice crackers, you can try many reasonable ones at a supermarket.  

Niigata City One Day Walking Tour

You can see the original manga drawings of world famous creators from Niigata like Rumiko Takahashi for Inuyasha, Ken Obata for Death Note, Fujio Akatuska for Osomatsu-kun, Nobuhiro Watsuki for Rurouni Kenshin, Mineo Maya for Patalliro, Shinji Mizushima for Dokaben and many others and feel closer to them. Also, you can try delicious food with fresh ingredients in Niigata.  

Manga and Anime Walking Tour

Murakami city is located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture.
The city was flourished during the Edo period as a castle town governed by the Murakami clan.
It is famous for "鮭-sake-salmon", "酒-another sake-Japanese sake", "Tsuishu" lacquer ware, Machiya houses, Murakami beef, Murakami green tea, 
Hina doll festival and more!

In this tour we visit several must-see places in this diverse city.

1.Kikkawa:  A shop selling salmon products. You will be surprised to see so many dried salmons hung from the ceiling of the shop.

2.Taiyo Sake Brewery:  You can sample  some of its products like "Taiyozakari". 

3.Machiya houses open to the public ( some of them are shops selling salmon products, green tea, blacksmith, restaurant and so on.

4.Iyoboya Kaikan  (salmon museum):  You can learn why Murakami city became famous for salmon.

Murakami city has succeeded in preserving old-style Japanese houses and you can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere it produces. 

It is mostly a walking tour(about 3-4 km) and we may use loop bus or taxi accordingly.
You can take Uetsuhonsen line from Niigata to Murakami, about 1-hour by local train.

Murakami city Sake Sake one day tour

Visitors can view the beautiful castle and learn how the city has been developed based on the history of Shibata Clan.  Walk along the streets, enjoy the ambience of the Edo Period and get acquainted with the town and its history.  

Shibata Castle and Central Shibata

1.  You will feel refreshed and energized.
Joetsu City was the capital city of Echigo Province.  As you stay away from crowds, you can enjoy walking along former castle town streets in a calm way.  There are many historical sites and scenic spots.  The city is surrounded by the Sea of Japan and snow-capped mountains.  And you can find people having environmentally friendly lifestyles.

2.  You can stay 7 hours in Joetsu by using the Hokuriku Bullet Train.
  leave Tokyo Station  7:52
  arrive at Joetsu-Myoko Station 9:54 → 17:13　(7hours)
  return to Tokyo Station 19:12

  The last train leaves Joetsu-Myoko Station at 21:21.
  You can enjoy staying at night in Joetsu, too.

3.  You will visit several following places of your choice.
1) local train: Tokimeki Line
After meeting at Joetsu-Myoko Station, let’s take a local train to Takada Station.
It takes less than ten minutes.  

2) Takada Park: a former castle site
Takada Castle was built in 1614 by Matsudaira Tadateru, a sixth son of the first Shogun.
It is one of the biggest castle site in Japan.  
Takada Park is famous for cherry trees in spring and lotus flowers in summer.  
Red and yellow leaves fascinate people in fall, and all trees and moats are covered white in snow.  
Local people love this park all the year-round. 

3) Machiya (townhouses) and Gangi Streets in castle town 
Machiya: townhouses are small in width at the entrance and long in-depth, like in Kyoto City.  Local people try to live comfortably in such houses.  You can visit some of the townhouses and find what they are.

Gangi Streets: snow shelters
Joetsu has a lot of snow in winter.  In order to walk easily in winter, they have built Gangi along the streets, which people can walk without getting wet.

4) Sake brewery
There are 13 breweries in Joetsu.  You will visit Musashino Brewery and taste some sake and learn how sake is brewed.   When you taste some of their sake in Rakusuitei-garden, you will be refreshed and be happy.  

5) Temple Street.
There are 66 temples in temple street in the west of the town.   You can visit one of the temples and find your time there.

6) Ski Museum
Joetsu is the first place where Alpine skiing was introduced in Japan by a military officer from Austria in 1911.   You will find how skiing has been developed in Japan.  As this museum is a little away from the center of the town, a taxi will be recommended to visit there.


Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area

Visitors will see the vast rice fields in Echigo Plain and people's way of life centering rice in the culture.  You will taste various kinds of local sake, foods including miso, soy sauce and snacks in downtown Tsukioka.  Also experience a bit of Onsen by soaking your feet in an outdoor bath there or taking a public hot bath of Tsukioka Onsen.  Enjoy viewing greenery and seasonal colors with blossoms and observing creatures living in the wetlands.

Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands

Visitors are to walk between JR Yahiko Station and Yahiko Shrine, which is a good excercise and gives a good chance to see the local shrine town.  You can buy one or two snacks on the way to and from the shrine such as Panda-yaki rice pancakes and konnyaku.  Breathe in serene air in the woods of the precinct to get to the gondola station.  The gondola ride takes 5 minutes to get to the top and visitors take a 15 walk to the uppermost shrine if the weather is fine.  (No walk on snowy days.)  After getting down to the ground, visiting deer and messenger birds is waiting for fun.  Enjoy feeding sacred deer wishing good fortune.  Then please do not forget the main event, to visit the main worship hall of Yahiko Shrine.  Practice 2 bows, 4 claps and 1 bow manner at Yahiko, which is different from most other shrines in Japan.  This tells how unique Yahiko Shrine is.  Yahiko is also well-known as a hot spring resort, so please soak your feet into a  foot bath prepared for visitors to the town at Omotenashihirowa.

Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari

Visitors can learn about the background and history of rice culture and fermented food by visiting two kinds of breweries and the wetland museum.

Kita-ku Fermented Food Culture and Fukushimagata Walking Tour

Discovering Setteya on Foot: The History of Fermentation and the Beauty of Masterful Plaster Art

You can visit the temple the Naked man festival is held . 
If you llike, you will visit an old fish weir and eat river fish. 
You can visit Ikeda art museum and its beautiful park. . 

Touring around Urasa station Niigata 

You will know about lives in snow country . 

You can enjoy bowl of super delicious rice with variety of toppings and sake. 

You can find local traditional textiles , accessories made of traditional fabrics and used kimono. 

You can experience traditional weaving. 

 Bokushi street walking in Minamiuonuma Niigata  牧之通り

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Top Niigata, Japan Private Tours and things to do: Visit Niigata, Niigata with Local Guides. Check reviews, photos, request an itinerary, plan a day trip or walking tour.

Niigata Private Tours

Yahiko Shinto Shrine Walking Tour

Yahiko Shinto Shrine Walking Tour

Niigata City one day tour of your choices

Niigata City one day tour of your choices

Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour

Central Niigata City 1-Day Tour

Niigata City One Day Walking Tour

Niigata City One Day Walking Tour

Manga and Anime Walking Tour

Manga and Anime Walking Tour

Murakami city Sake Sake one day tour

Murakami city Sake Sake one day tour

Shibata Castle and Central Shibata

Shibata Castle and Central Shibata

Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area

Joetsu City One Day Walking Tour, Takada Area

Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands

Northern Culture Museum, Tsukioka and Fukushimagata Wetlands

Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari

Gondola Ride to Mt Yahiko Top and Yahiko Shrine Visit plus Teradomari

Kita-ku Fermented Food Culture and Fukushimagata Walking Tour

Kita-ku Fermented Food Culture and Fukushimagata Walking Tour

Discovering Setteya on Foot: The History of Fermentation and the Beauty of Masterful Plaster Art

Discovering Setteya on Foot: The History of Fermentation and the Beauty of Masterful Plaster Art

Touring around Urasa station Niigata

Touring around Urasa station Niigata

Bokushi street walking in Minamiuonuma Niigata 牧之通り

Bokushi street walking in Minamiuonuma Niigata 牧之通り

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